Fender Performer Bass
Encyclopedia
The Fender Performer was an electric bass guitar released and discontinued in 1985, assembled in Japan
. The Performer was also available as an electric guitar
.
to be an Elite version of the Fender Jazz Bass
. The instrument was manufactured in Japan in 1985 at a time when Fender was not manufacturing guitars in the USA. Shortly after the launch of this instrument, CBS sold Fender to its employees and production of the Performer ceased. It is rumored that only a few hundred were made and that some were ordered to be destroyed because of a copyright dispute concerning the neck. However there is no credible evidence for this. Because no manufacturing assets were transferred in the sale, forcing the new owners to contract the manufacture of instruments it, is more likely that the new Fender Musical Instruments Corporation simply chose to focus on proven lines.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The Performer was also available as an electric guitar
Fender Performer
The Fender Performer was an electric guitar designed for rock and metal guitarists in the mid 1980s. The Performer was also available as an electric bass.-Origins:The Performer was first introduced in 1985, and was assembled in Japan...
.
The Guitar
The Fender Performer bass was a uniquely styled bass guitar, designed by John Page, renowned for its extremely slender neck. It has an alder body, with a bolt-on 34" maple neck and a 24 fret rosewood fingerboard. Controls are: Tone, Volume, Pickup Selector Switch and TBX Circuit Control (Treble Bass eXpander). It was available in Burgundy Mist, Gun Metal Blue, Candy Green, White and Tobacco Sunburst. All finishes were metallic except for the sunburst.History
The Fender Performer Bass was designed by John PageJohn Page
John Page may refer to:* Johannes Pagus, medieval philosopher* John Page , resident of Middle Plantation in the Virginia Colony...
to be an Elite version of the Fender Jazz Bass
Fender Jazz Bass
The Jazz Bass was the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. The bass is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental harmonic...
. The instrument was manufactured in Japan in 1985 at a time when Fender was not manufacturing guitars in the USA. Shortly after the launch of this instrument, CBS sold Fender to its employees and production of the Performer ceased. It is rumored that only a few hundred were made and that some were ordered to be destroyed because of a copyright dispute concerning the neck. However there is no credible evidence for this. Because no manufacturing assets were transferred in the sale, forcing the new owners to contract the manufacture of instruments it, is more likely that the new Fender Musical Instruments Corporation simply chose to focus on proven lines.
Collectibility
Once largely ignored by Fender enthusiasts, the Performer has recently grown in popularity and second-hand values. As of 2010, in recent Ebay auctions these instruments have commanded prices as much as US$1000 and higher.Words from the Designer
The following is from posts that designer John Page made on fenderforum.com:External links
- Contemporary Jazz and Performer Basses (Japan, 1985) owner's manual